With gas prices rising and the foreign-security issues that come with our oil dependency — as demonstrated yet again by the events in the Middle East this past week — rail travel is becoming an increasingly necessary alternative to our car-based transportation system.

These Grannies are concerned for their children's and grandchildren's futures, and they recognize the serious environmental problems caused by producing, using, and wasting plastic bags. Community members should encourage removing plastic bags, and Iowa City is the perfect place for an initiative such as this to be successful.

It's something we use every day yet rarely take the time to celebrate. It's as solid as the ground beneath our feet and still extremely flexible. It provides the foundation for what it means to be an American because it enshrines much of what we value as Americans. Of course, I'm referring to the United States Constitution.